Post-Divorce Regret among Iranian Women: A Qualitative Study.
Arezoo Pirak, Reza Negarandeh, Zohreh Khakbazan
PMID 30643835WHAT IT FOUND
Divorced Iranian women described regret stemming from social stigma, loss of independence, and fear for their children's future.
They faced discrimination and sexual harassment, often becoming financially dependent on parents who restricted their freedom. These pressures made returning to the marriage seem preferable to isolation.
Key findings
01Identity threat, including stigma, sexual objectification, and discrimination, was a primary driver of post-divorce regret.
02Loss of independence manifested as economic dependency and family control, with many women forced to live with parents who restricted their movement and choices.
03Concerns about children's future and the lack of a father figure contributed significantly to women's desire to remarry or return to their previous marriages.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (15 participants), limiting the transferability of findings to all divorced women. The study was conducted in a specific cultural context (Iran), so results may not apply to other societies. Recruitment occurred through lawyers and family courts, which may bias the sample toward women with more complex or contested divorces. The cross-sectional nature of the interviews provides a snapshot of regret rather than tracking how these feelings change over time.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that staying in an abusive or unhappy marriage is beneficial. The study reports the subjective experiences and social pressures faced by these women, particularly the fear of stigma and loss of support, not the clinical outcomes of divorce versus marriage.